Device with movable panels for closing and opening passages, more especially in horizontal partition walls



Feb. 4, 1964 c. PAUWELS DEVICE WITH MOVABLE PANELS FOR CLOSING AND OPENING PASSAGES, MORE ESPECIALLY IN HORIZONTAL PARTITION WALLS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 13, 1962 N EN, 3 m

f m n N M k V m 2 5 l e w u a P C wake- 6 -6- Feb. 4, 1964 A c. PAUWELS DEVICE WITH MOVABLE PANELS FOR CLOSING AND OPENING PASSAGES, MORE ESPECIALLY IN HORIZONTAL PARTITION WALLS Filed A ril 13, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 GLLck F f m w. .l N w e n m 7 MP1 b e w M P C 1964 c. PAUWELS 3,120,034

DEVICE WITH MOVABLE PANELS FOR CLOSING AND OPENING PASSAGES, MORE ESPECIALLY IN HORIZONTAL PARTITION WALLS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 13, 1962 |4 B 1CD! y I 7 8 LAW/M12 2 W a. v m

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:n n 5 I 6 .w T/ .w I" F u z! I 5 i i E n: 54I\ l 0 9 L h m T w 9 n u E 7 LE a 8 Pg 4 I H 4 2 C. Pauwels, awe-Mae PER auwwg ATTORNEY! United States Patent Ofiice 3,120,034 Patented Feb. 4, 1964 3,120,034 DEVICE WITH MGVABLE PANELS FOR CLQSING AND ORENING PASSAGES, MORE ESPEQIALLY DJ HQRIZONTAL FARTITIDN WALLS Constant Fauweis, Antwerp, Belgium, assignor to Firrna Pauwels & De Kidder P.V.B.A., Antwerp, Belgium, a

company Filed Apr. 13, I962, Ser. No. 187,358 Claims priority, application Belgium Feb. 23, 1962 6 (Ilaims. (Cl. 2019) This invention concerns the problem of closing all kinds of passages, mostly in horizontal partition Walls, by means of adjoining panels or more generally panels which are hitched together by a means acting as a seal.

A characteristic example thereof are the hatch boards aboard ship. The device conforming to the present invention is however not limited to this particular application but can be applied to all kinds of industrial constructions such as workshops, factories, railway sheds, rolling stock, trucks, vans, silos, warehouses, reservoirs, etc. and, in a general way, in all cases where a passage must be closed by horizontal or nearly horizontal panels, roof elements, covers and suchlike.

In a general way, such closures by means of adjacent panels and more especially by adjacent panels which are hitched together by their adjacent edges, are being handled one by one, either by hand or by means of some kind of hoist. \Vhen the panels which closed this opening must be removed for alfording a free passage, they are transferred to some place at a certain distance from that opening, where they are stacked one over the other.

This is a rather slow kind of procedure which calls for a lot of hand labour as soon as the panels or the openings to be closed are at all large. Moreover, due to the fact that they are carried either by hand or by means of some hoist, and still more due to the fact that they are being dropped on top of one another without special care, they are subject to a considerable amount of wear.

The present invention concerns new means for systernatically modernizing this conventional technique by operating, even for large surfaces, with a very reduced labour force, an equipment which is simple, sturdy and requires but very little driving power. Apart from that, one of the main features of these new means is to be found in the fact that the panels are systematically being superposed but without coming into mutual contact. The result thereof is that all the disadvantages of the con ventional technique are systematically eliminated, the handling of even large size panels being extremely simple, fast, easy and performed under the best conditions for preserving the material.

The device conforming to the present invention is essentially characterized by the fact that each panel is provided with a certain number, generally four, of uprights or legs. The uprights of each panel are of equal length, but this length differs from one panel to the next and will generally become smaller from one end panel to that which is located at the other end of the opening.

As a rule, these panels will rest in the usual way on the edges of the passage which is to be covered up,

but it is obvious that any other disposition can be made use of for ensuring the correct positioning and the secure fastening of each panel. When the panels have been placed over the opening, aforesaid uprights or legs will be disposed in two or several longitudinal rows, whereby aforesaid longitudinal rows located on the same side of the passage are parallel and very close to each other.

Below each row or group of parallel rows, and on either side of the passage, there are rails or beams which are designed in such way that they can be displaced in vertical planes. The lifting elements are connected with an appropriate driving mechanism. The way in which such novel device operates when the various panels lie side by side over the opening, each one in close contact with the next, simply consists in actuating the driving mechanism in order to bring the lateral rails or beams into their raised position. In the course of this upward stroke they will have met or carried with them in succession the uprights or legs of the various panels.

When aforesaid rails or beams have reached the top of their upward stroke, the panels are automatically held horizontally at different levels so that they are ipso facto mutually disengaged. It then suffices to move them horizontally along aforesaid rails or beams to bring them outside the passage which they were closing, into a stacked position but Without mutual contact.

The rails or beams in question can be shaped in numerous different ways and be mounted for being moved in any convenient manner, the sole object being to align the lower end of the uprights or legs of the panels so as to dispose the latter at different levels by means of a simple and generally single operation.

The relative positions of the uprights or legs from panel to panel is also subject to many variations, as well as the means used for moving aforesaid lateral rails or beams, as these means can be either manual, automatic, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc., or consist of a mixed combination thereof.

Without implying any limitative conditions, but with the sole object of bringing out the characteristic features of the present invention, embodiments of the latter are described with fuller detail below, with reference to the appended drawings of which:

FIGURE 1 represents, as summarily as possible, the closing device conforming to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic side-view, in the closed position, of a practical embodiment of the closing device conforming to the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-section along line IIIIII of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 2, whereby the device is represented in an intermediate position of the opening, respectively the closing phase;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-section along the line VV of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a side-view of the superimposed closing elements of FIGURES 2 to 5 at the end of the opening phase of the devi e according to the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic side-view, in the closed position, of a different embodiment of the closing device according to the present invention;

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 7, whereby the device is represented in an intermediate position of the opening, respectively closing phase;

IGURE 9 is a side-view of the superimposed closing elements of FIGURES 7 and 8 at the end of the opening phase of the device according to the present invention;

FIGURE 10 is a top view of the adjacent closing elements in a characteristic disposition of their positioning legs;

FIGURE 11 is an alternative of FIGURE 10, showing diagrammatically another relative arrangement of the positioning legs;

FIGURE 12 is a side-view of the closing elements Oif FIGURE 11 at the end of the opening phase of the device according to the present invention;

FIGURE 13 is a second modification of FIGURE 10, which also shows diagrammatically still another relative arrangement of the positioning legs;

FIGURE *14 is a side-view of the superimposed closing elements of FIGURE 13 at the end of the opening phase of the device according to the present invention.

As represented diagrammatically in FIGURE 1 in its simplest form, the device according to the present invention is constituted in the following way, considering that it is applied to the closing of a passage 1 the boundaries of which are ventical walls 2 supported by the partition wall 3 in which aforesaid passage 1 has been provided. Panels 4-5-6 are made to be adjoining, preferably through the medium of a sealing joint. These panels rest directly onto aforesaid vertical walls 2. Each panel is provided with four uprights or legs 7-8-9-10, 11- 12-13-14 and 15-16-17-18 respectively. Aforesaid uprights or legs of each individual panel are equally long, their lengths being respectively L4, L5, and L6, which are however different for different panels, so that in the present instance L4 L5 L6, which provides a means for raising either simultaneously, successively or individually aforesaid panels 4-5-6 in order to bring finally the lower free end of all legs 7 to 18 to the same level X-X which will generally be the level at which aforesaid panels will have to be held when not in use over the opening.

It is then sufiicient to move the panels by a sliding motion in the direction of the arrows F4-F5-F6 so as to bring them on top of one another as indicated in 19.

In one particular application represented diagrammatically in FIGURES 2 to 6, and 10, we see the passage to be covered-up 1, the lateral side walls 2 which are the boundaries of aforesaid passage, and the panels 4-5-6 with their legs 7 to 18 respectively. In this form of embodiment, the panels are mutually hitched in such way that the tongue 20 of one engages the channel 21 of the other. In the present instance, all uprights or legs of the panels are provided at the bottom with a roller 22 which can rotate freely' on its axis. In this form of embodiment, as represented diagrammatically in FIGURE 8, the uprights or legs 7 to 18, and thus also their respective rollers, are, on either side of the adjoining panels, disposed in two lines along the axes AA, BB and C-C, D-D respectively, whereby each pair of alignments A-B, C-D cover-up a width indicated at L.

Under these two pairs of alignments, on either side of the longitudinal Walls 2, rails or roller paths -26 respectively are mounted about pivots 23-24 respectively at one end. Due to the position of aforesaid pivots 23- 24 and to the form of the corresponding extremities of the rolling paths 25-26, the latter, when in the horizontal position, 'are such that their top face comes to lie in the plane of the fixed rails 27-28 respectively which form so to say an extension of aforesaid rails for providing a support for the panels when the latter are removed from the opening. These fixed rails 27-28 can on the other hand extend alongside aforesaid corresponding vertical walls 2 with a reduced width. Aforesaid rails 25-26 are connected to a driving device. In the present instance, the latter consists of jacks 29-30 for mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical or other operation which can be controlled either by hand or automatically.

By way of an alternative, FIGURE 2 shows in broken lines a winch for lifting the free end of aforesaid rails 25-26 by means of cables represented diagrammatically at 32. This winch can also be operated either by hand or automatically. It is further possible to guide these rails positively by the engagement of studs 33 with which they are provided, in appropriate openings 34 of fixed guides 35. In this manner it is possible to ensure a correct positioning of aforesaid mobile rails 25-26, more particularly in their raised position. For opening or clearing the passage 1 in a minimum of time, it is enough to lift the rails 25-26 by operating either the jacks 29- or the winch 31 or any other adequate driving device. On being lifted, aforesaid rails meet successively and carry with them all the rollers and thus also the uprights or legs 7 to 18. When these rails have come to a horizontal position, all rollers are held at thelevel X-X which is also the level of the fixed roller paths 27-28. At this moment, the panels 4-5-6 are at different levels and it is enough to move them along by a motion of translation, as explained before, for stacking and holding them on top of one another over aforesaid fixed roller paths 27-28. In this form of embodiment, the rails 25-26 are displaced by a rotary motion.

They could of course be brought into their raised position by any other kind of motion. One form of embodiment in which afresaid rails are simply displaced by a movement of translation is represented diagrammatically in two characteristic positions in FIGURES 7 to 9. In these figures, the same reference numbers indicate the same parts as those which have been described in the preceding example. The operation is also quite similar, except that the mobile rails 25-26 move upward and downward whilst always remaining parallel.

In FIGURES ll and 12 on the one hand, and 13 and 14 on the other hand, panels have been represented in their position of closure and in the position of retreat, with variations in the relative disposition of the positioning uprights or legs. In these figures, the same reference numbers denote the same parts as those which are represented in FIGURES 6 and 10.

It is obvious that any number of variants can be applied in the various possible embodiments of the present invention, according to the particular disposition chosen for the number and the shape of the panels, the number and position of the positioning uprights or legs, the additional guiding means for the panels during their motion of translation, the number, the shape and the relative position of the mobile roller paths, the nature of the latter, the driving device for moving aforesaid mobile rails and, in a general way, the various accessories whose choice is left to the craftsmanship of those conversant with the art, after having taken cognizance of the features disclosed in the present application.

The invention concerns not only the various devices and their characteristic parts as such, but also the constructions or parts of constructions which make use of them. It is also to be understood that the position of the mobile roller paths with respect to the walls of the passage in question is essentially variable and that these guiding paths may be mounted as well inside as outside the latter.

Moreover, the device conforming to the present invention can be applied in many possible ways, as the panels. can be placed in any planes whatever, either horizontal, vertical or slanting, in which case all that needs be done:

is to adapt in accordance the means required for fasten-- ing the legs to the guiding and operating rails. The ques-- tion might also be considered of not retaining aforesaid legs or uprights in a permanent way, but of mounting, them so as to be removable. If the panels were providedl with reinforcements, passages with controlled closure could be designed so as to make it possible to remove aforesaid legs or uprights at will, and also to afford the.

possibility of opening the various panels individually.

The roller elements can be placed either inside or out-- side and the levers might be used as roller paths. In fact,

any variant or accessory device could also be applied without extending beyond the scope of the present invention.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for closing passages in horizontal partition walls and the like, said apparatus comprising in combination with a horizontal partition wall having an opening therein, and parallel arranged vertical wall members connected therewith at opposite sides of said opening and extending upwardly of said partition wall; horizontally arranged fixed rails connected with the sides of each of said wall members, a plurality of panels wider than the opening defined by said vertical wall members, legs firmly connected with each of said panels adjacent the lateral argins thereof, the legs on each of said panels being of a different length than the legs on any other panel whereby said panels may be supported nested one inside another on said fixed rails, movable guide rails located alongside each of said wall members in the same vertical plane as the fixed rails and being movable upwardly to a first operative position wherein said guide rails are horizontally igned with said fixed rails, whereby said panels may he slid from said nested position on said fixed rails onto said guide rails and over the opening in said partition wall in end-to-end adjacent relation, said guide rails being movable vertically downwardly to a second operative position for lowering said panels onto said wall members.

2. A combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said movable guide rails are pivoted at one end to said wall members, and jacks connected with said guide rails for pivoting said guide rails from said first operative position to said second operative position and vice versa.

3. A combination in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a pair of vertical jacks firmly connected with each of said guide rails for moving said guide rails from said first operative position to said second operative position and vice versa.

4. A combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein the legs on each of said panels are aligned in pairs, the span between the pairs of legs on each one of said panels being different than the span between the pairs of legs on any other panel to provide that the panels may be nested one inside the other.

5. A combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said panels have parallel meeting edges, a channel connected with one of said edges, and a tongue connected with the other of said edges said channel and said tongue being adapted to engage respectively with a tongue and channel of adjacent panel sections for interconnecting said panel sections when lowered into planar position.

6. Apparatus for closing passages in horizontal partition walls and the like, said apparatus comprising in combination with a horizontal partition wall having an opening therein, and parallel arranged vertical wall members connected therewith at opposite sides of said opening and extending upwardly of said partition wall; horizontally arranged fixed rails connected with and extending ontwardly from the sides of each of said wall members, said fixed rails each having a longitudinal slotted recess there in, a plurality of panels wider than the opening defined by said vertical wall members, legs firmly connected with each of said panels adjacent the lateral margins thereof, the legs on each of said panels being of a different length nan the legs on any other panel whereby said panels may be supported nested one inside another on said fixed rails, movable guide rails located alongside each of said wall members and being movable to a first operative position wherein they extend into the slotted recesses in said fixed rails and in planar alignment with said fixed rails whereby said panels may he slid from said nested position on said fixed rails onto said guide rails and over the opening in said partition wall in alongside adjacent relation, said guide rails being movable vertically downwardly to a second operative position for lowering said panels onto said wall members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,193,347 Bauer Aug. 1, 1916 2,869,502 Stransky I an. 20, 1959 2,945,467 Wigeland July 19, 1960 

1. APPARATUS FOR CLOSING PASSAGES IN HORIZONTAL PARTITION WALLS AND THE LIKE, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION WITH A HORIZONTAL PARTITION WALL HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN, AND PARALLEL ARRANGED VERTICAL WALL MEMBERS CONNECTED THEREWITH AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID OPENING AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY OF SAID PARTITION WALL; HORIZONTALLY ARRANGED FIXED RAILS CONNECTED WITH THE SIDES OF EACH OF SAID WALL MEMBERS, A PLURALITY OF PANELS WIDER THAN THE OPENING DEFINED BY SAID VERTICAL WALL MEMBERS, LEGS FIRMLY CONNECTED WITH EACH OF SAID PANELS ADJACENT THE LATERAL MARGINS THEREOF, THE LEGS ON EACH OF SAID PANELS BEING OF A DIFFERENT LENGTH THAN THE LEGS ON ANY OTHER PANEL WHEREBY SAID PANELS MAY BE SUPPORTED NESTED ONE INSIDE ANOTHER ON SAID FIXED RAILS, MOVABLE GUIDE RAILS LOCATED ALONGSIDE EACH OF SAID WALL MEMBERS IN THE SAME VERTICAL PLANE AS THE FIXED RAILS AND BEING MOVABLE UPWARDLY TO A FIRST OPERATIVE POSITION WHEREIN SAID GUIDE RAILS ARE HORIZONTALLY ALIGNED WITH SAID FIXED RAILS, WHEREBY SAID PANELS MAY BE SLID FROM SAID NESTED POSITION ON SAID FIXED RAILS ONTO SAID GUIDE RAILS AND OVER THE OPENING IN SAID PARTITION WALL IN END-TO-END ADJACENT RELATION, SAID GUIDE RAILS BEING MOVABLE VERTICALLY DOWNWARDLY TO A SECOND OPERATIVE POSITION FOR LOWERING SAID PANELS ONTO SAID WALL MEMBERS. 